How to Plan a Perfect Trip to Kandy – An Enthralling Multi-Faceted City

 The beautiful city of Kandy which is situated in Sri Lanka’s hill country will always be an interesting place to visit. Kandy is one of the nation’s cultural hubs, offering much that will draw the interest of the culture enthusiast. However, this city also offers attractions that will captivate the general sightseer as well. Provided below is some useful information regarding planning a rewarding trip to Kandy.

Bernard Gagnon, Pinnawala 01, CC BY-SA 3.0

Choose the time to visit

For a memorable trip to Kandy, you should decide in advance regarding the period of your visit. Although it will be quite possible to visit this city at any time of the year, you could time your trip according to your personal preferences and priorities. If you seek the ideal weather, the optimal time at which to visit this city would be from December through April. However, as you might expect, you may encounter more fellow tourists during this period. On the other hand, the splendid Kandy Esala Perahera, a grand procession featuring caparisoned elephants and many performers takes place in July and August and you may therefore consider visiting Kandy at this time.

Select the right accommodation

Although there is a range of accommodation choices in the city of Kandy, an attractive option for the discerning visitor would be an appealing boutique villa in a scenic location, offering modern conveniences and amenities. You could look for a cosy accommodation with luxurious comforts so that you can relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. You are also sure to appreciate a picturesque location with pleasant views of the region’s natural beauty while being within easy reach of key attractions. You could look for delectable dining with dishes prepared by skilled chefs and access to amenities like a swimming pool, fitness centre and rooftop terrace. An accommodation choice to consider with the above features would be Hanthana Boutique Villa by Amaya where you could stay at attractively located villas in Kandy.

Visit the major attractions

You will find many interesting things to see and do in Kandy. Your trip to this city would not be complete without visiting the greatly venerated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic which is believed to house a tooth relic of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Another interesting religious attraction would be the mammoth Buddha statue at the Bahirawakanda Temple. Also make sure to visit the remarkable Peradeniya Botanical Gardens where you will encounter marvellous trees, plants and flowers including many unusual and exotic varieties. Meanwhile, if you have an interest in elephants, take the opportunity to visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which has been established to care for abandoned and injured elephants.

Experience the wonders of nature and art

An absorbing experience that you will have the opportunity to enjoy in the environs of Kandy would be to go trekking in the Hanthana mountains. At this mountain range, you may undertake a hike of your desired length, extending from a trek of a few hours to an all-day excursion. During a hike here, you will be able to admire the lush greenery, clear blue skies and scenic landscapes all around you.

Birdwatching will also be a rewarding pastime in Kandy as you will find many interesting kinds of avifauna in this area including numerous endemic varieties. Another captivating experience would be to enjoy a leisurely picnic at the Hulan Grounds, which happens to be an extensive flat area of land bordered by lush greenery at Horton Plains. Here, you will be able to enjoy a relaxed meal whilst experiencing the sounds made by the local fauna, flora and winds after which the site is named. Not to be missed is a visit to the Embekke Devalaya as well, a shrine that is renowned for its exquisite wooden carvings.